Over the years, the Epson Tour has often seen talented young players tee it up as a sponsor exemption. This week’s Florida’s Natural Charity Classic is no exception as 13-year-old Danica Becker and 17-year-old Yana Wilson are in the field. But unlike Becker, Wilson is no stranger to the professional stage and is looking forward to another opportunity to shine.
“It's really special (to be a sponsor exemption). I know that getting exemptions isn’t easy, especially being a junior or even an amateur,” said Wilson. “So, I strive to work hard for that. And I'm just really grateful for this opportunity. I'm really happy to be here this week.”
Wilson is currently a member of the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA), where she’s picked up numerous titles and accolades. The 17-year-old was named Rolex Junior Player of the Year in 2023 and won the 2022 Hilton Grand Vacations Annika Invitational presented by Rolex, the 2023 AJGA Girls Invitational and the 2023 Mizuho Americas Open.
“AJGA has been a great path for me, to come all the way up to the Epson Tour and play as a junior,” said Wilson, who is also the 2022 U.S. Girls’ Junior champion. “AJGA has some of the best junior competition in the world and on the biggest stage too. At Mizuho (Americas Open) last year, we got to play with the pros, and I feel like that has kind of helped me become the player I am just from learning from that experience.”
At the inaugural Mizuho Americas Open in 2023, 24 AJGA members played alongside 120 LPGA Tour athletes. Wilson was among the 24 AJGA participants competing in a Stableford format, ultimately standing in the winner’s circle with former AJGA member and newly-turned-professional, Rose Zhang, who won in her pro debut at Liberty National Golf Club. The University of Oregon commit spent the week trying to keep up with the pros, and it has continued to pay off in the months since.
“Playing with the pros has taught me so much,” said Wilson. “Our games are totally different in terms of maturity. They just hit fairways and greens and at worst they make par. I feel like I've learned a lot from that. And I feel like playing with them has really helped me, especially at Mizuho. I feel like that's part of the reason why I came home with the win because I was just trying to play with them.”
Now, Wilson looks forward to the Florida’s Natural Charity Classic, another opportunity to play alongside professionals, improve her game and – maybe most importantly – gear up for the August National Women’s Amateur in April. The Nevada native will tee it up at Augusta National for the fifth time in a few weeks, a milestone she’s particularly excited to celebrate.
“This tournament is honestly such a blessing. Just that I'm playing in it because, you know, ANWA is in a couple of weeks, and I only have one more tournament right before that,” said Wilson. “Especially with not everyone having that many tournaments to play around this time of year, I feel like it's really an awesome opportunity to be out here.”
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